Disclaimer: Bleach is not mine, it's Tite Kubo's.

Note: Next chapter is up! And there will be kissing!! Please enjoy.

Chapter 30:

"Shihana-san?" tried Rukia and stuck her head around the door. She found her friend sitting by the window absent-mindedly caressing a black cat. She had never seen the cat around the manor and briefly wondered where it came from. "I'm going to visit Renji. Care to come with me?"

Shihana looked up and for a moment her inner turmoil showed clearly on her face. Then she stood and straightened her kimono. It was golden today, with a pattern of small embroidered dragons.

"I am coming, Rukia-san. Thanks for picking me up", she said. "I seem unable to measure up the courage to do it on my own."

Rukia smiled reassuringly and held out her small hand. "That's what friends are for!"

They arrived at the 4th while the sky was still light. Across the corridor, Hanatarou spotted Rukia and waved at her. "Rukia-san!", he shouted. "Abarai-fukutaichou's room it right over here."

They knocked and entered after Renji's familiar voice had allowed them so.

Shihana struggled hard to keep an expressionless face.

Renji sat in bed, his upper body and arms tightly wrapped in white bandages. His hair was down and he bore an impish grin on his face.

Shihana's heart pounded so hard that she was afraid they might hear it. He looked so breathtakingly handsome that it left her speechless.

Rukia suppressed a giggle. During his initial treatment she had already observed which effect this 'wounded warrior-Renji' had on the female healers. No doubt Shihana was going through the same pains.

"Yo, Renji", she said cheerfully. "How are you?"

"Fine", smiled Renji. "And even more so, after I see you two." He grinned and winked at Rukia.

"What's wrong, Shihana-san?" asked the small woman. "Come and sit down. His bites just sting a little."

She laughed and ducked when Renji tried to hit her around the head.

Shihana stepped slowly nearer. Then she reminded herself of her family name and straightened up.

"Please accept my apologies that I haven't showed up earlier, Renji-kun. For all you have done for me I will be forever indebted to you."

"And where's the bow?" asked a voice from the door. Matsumoto strolled in and gave Shihana a clap on the backside, causing her to jump. "Really, is the Kuchiki-stiffness contagious? You better stay away, Renji-san!"

She propped down next to Rukia and took out a sake bowl.

"I've come to help reduce the enormous store of alcoholics some people dare to give our poor Renji-san. It can't be good for your health, ne?"

Stop being stupid, Shihana told herself and finally joined her friends. She avoided looking at Renji, though.

It wasn't long until more shinigami showed up. First were Kira and Hisagi, soon followed by Ikkaku and Yumichika. After Iba, Hinamori and even Kyouraku-taichou with Ise in his wake had joined the crowd, the room was stuffed.

"What the heck's going on here?" came a voice from the window.

Ichigo sat perched on the windowsill and peeked in. "And here I thought I could ease your loneliness", he laughed.

Renji grinned and elbowed Rukia in the ribs. "Now's the moment to take revenge for the comment on your drawing skills. Come on, it's as good an opportunity as any other!"

Rukia blushed violently and shook her head.

"Huh, what's he talking about?" asked Shihana curiously. Rukia saw her chance and jumped on it.

"Ah, there was this evening when we got pissed and Renji here wanted to know... mm-mmph!"

Renji, a panicked look on his face had covered her mouth.

"Okay, okay", he hurried to say. "Forget what I said and don't say anything further!"

Rukia nodded.

"What was that about?", whispered Shihana over to Ichigo.

"Not a clue", gave the orange-haired man back and shrugged. "I'll grill Rukia about it next time I catch her alone."

The party went on for several hours, until Isane stuck her head in and demanded silence in consideration of the other patients. It resulted in Matsumoto forcing her to join the crowd.

It was after midnight, when the others slowly staggered home, leaving Renji and Rukia alone.

"Where's Shihana?" asked Renji and looked around as if hoping he had somehow missed her presence.

"She went home hours ago", answered Rukia. His disappointed look made her sad.

"Listen, Renji, there's still two weeks until the rescheduled wedding. Perhaps she'll still see reason", said the small woman.

Renji sighed. "Ya know, her parents were here earlier today. They were really civil, and I jus' thought...you know, after all we've been through."

"Give her some time", advised Rukia. "It's not that she doesn't like you. I've seen her look at you and I've seen her cry over you."

The red-head frowned. "But what does she think of Reki? Does she love him?"

Rukia made a thoughtful face. "To be earnest, I don't know. She did not like him at first, but I don't know how she's feeling right now. You better just ask her yourself."

"What if she says she does?" asked Renji, a pained expression on his face. "Geez, I feel like a coward!" He hung his head.

Rukia hugged his bandaged chest. "Don't say that", she murmured. "Look at me, I'm as pathetic as you."

Renji smiled and hugged her back. They stayed like this a while, each finding comfort in their old friend.

Finally, Rukia raised her head.

"I better get going", she said. "Nii-sama would throw a fit if I went missing during the night."

Renji lay back in the dark room, his arms crossed under his head. He stared up to the ceiling.

Can I just stand back on the day of this fucking wedding and watch her being whisked away by this dickhead of a noble? If she said she loved him I guess I'd have to...

Renji sighed and closed his eyes exasperatedly. He quickly drifted off into deep sleep.

He awoke with a start when something rustled nearby.

Still half-asleep, Renji groped around in the dark for Zabimaru on the night-stand.

"Who's there?" he called, feeling foolish.

"Um, it's me, Renji-kun. Why don't you lower your Zanpakutou?" In the dim light from the window, Shihana stepped nearer. "I wanted some time alone with you", she said.

Renji put Zabimaru down again and sat up properly.

"What is it you wanted to talk about, Shihana-san?", he asked.

Shihana blushed and hoped he wouldn't see it in the dark room.

"There was that time when you brought me breakfast... you wanted to ask something, I think", she muttered.

"Oh that", said Renji and scratched his head absent-mindedly. "It ain't important. But there is actually something I need to know."

"What is it?" asked Shihana. She was standing right beside his bed now and her pale face was shining in the moonlight.

Renji took a deep breath and gathered all his courage. Watch me now, Rukia, he thought.

"Do you truly love Shihoin Reki?" he finally blurted out.

A moment of painful silence followed. Renji cursed inwardly.

"No", replied Shihana. "I love only you." And then she kissed him.

Renji's mind went completely blank. There was only the feel of her soft lips and the faint smell of jasmine from her hair. He moved a hand up to cup her face and marvelled at the texture of her skin.

Her arms wrapped around his back and made him shiver. Then she left his mouth to lick and bite his neck, eliciting a low moan from him.

He reached out and...

his hand closed on thin air.

Panting, Renji sat up in bed. The room was dark like before, but completely empty.

"Damn it!" he cursed and buried his face in his hands. "And it was just getting good! And what to do about this?" He looked accusingly down on his obvious arousal. A cold shower in the middle of the night? Definitely out of the question. Think of something really horrid! The soutaichou in the bath. Omaeda naked. Ah, that did the trick.

Flouncing back again, Renji yawned. He briefly wondered whether he should tell Rukia. Nah, she'd only laugh her little head off. Anyhow, perhaps it would be easier to ask Shihana in real life, now that he'd already practised.

Soon, Renji was snoring lightly until the sun went up.

Well, there was kissing, even if it was just a dream. But don't worry, real kisses will come in some time in the future^^.
Also, there's still lots of fun coming up, including the thing Yoruichi asks Byakuya to do for the wedding.
I appreciate your opinion, so please review!